Outboard motor tilting device



April 11, 1961 D. H. SOPER OUTBOARD MOTOR TILTING DEVICE Filed April 15. 1958 Fly. 3

Donald H. Soper 1N VEN TOR.

United This invention relates generally to apparatus for use with outboard motors, and more particularly to a tilting device therefor.

With the large amount of leisure time now available to most persons in this country, the sport of boating has become increasingly popular. However, outboard motors are cumbersome to handle, and sometimes very diificult to tilt when mounted on the transom of a boat. Certain people because of age, size, or physical impairment are unable to tilt large motors as they are presently constructed. Therefore, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a simple and readily attachable outboard motor tilting device for facilitating the tilting of large outboard motors, without the expenditure of much energy.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described which may be quickly and easily attached and detached to the conventional type of outboard motors, and may be easily stored within the boat when not in use.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of the character. described, which is so adapted, that this tilting operation of the outboard motor, may be performed by a person located in any part of the boat,

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a device which eliminates thenecessity for leaning over the transom of a boat in rough water when it is necessary to tilt the motor.

An even further object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described wherein the outboard motors may be easily tilted even when the lower unit of the motor is stuck in mud or sand.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device and yet one which is exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

This invention contemplates the use of an elongated handle having hooks on the lower end thereof, which are easily attached to and detachable from the forward tilting handle of an outboard motor. A piece of wire or string isattached to the upper portion of the elongated handle, and disposed about the rearward tilting handle. Then, by grasping the upper end of the elongated handle and applying a pressure toward the forward part of the boat, the outboard motor may be very easily and simply tilted.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof,

wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and

in which:

'Figure l is a perspective view of the device compris illustrated in Figure 1, showing. thev same in the tilted position; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the tilting device per se. 7

Referringnow more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the tilting device comprising the present invention, which is to be connected to various parts of a conventional type of outboard motor 12, which is in turn attached to the transom 14 of a boat.

The tilting device 10, is constructed of an elongated rod 16 of substantially uni-form diameter throughout. On the lower end thereof, and disposed transversely thereto, is ,a U-shaped bracket 18. This U-shaped bracket 18, is constructed, of a bight portion 20, which is connected to the lower end of rod 16, and outwardly projecting legs 22. Reinforcing triangular plate 24 is disposed between rod 16 and bight portion 20, and it is to be noted that a plurality of triangular plates 24 may be used. Attached to .the outer ends of legs 22, are open loops 26, having rearward legs 23 which extend downwardly further than forward legs 30. Near the upper end of rod 16, is rigidly connecteda washer 32.

At the uppermost portion of rod 16 is connected a handle grip 34, that has indentations 36 thereon so as to more comfortably accommodate the fingers.

The conventional type of outboard motor 12, has detachable clamps 38 afiixed thereto, which adapt the These conventional types of motors 12, have a forward tilting or carrying handle.40 disposed immediately above the clamp 38, and a rearward tilting handle 42 projecting in the opposite direction from. handle 40, and disposed at a higher vertical point thereon.

When it is desired to tilt .the motor 12,- it is merely Q necessmy for the open hooks. 26 to be. engaged on the bight portion of forward tilting handle'40, with the rod 16 projecting upwardly therefrom. A cable 44 is formed in a loop, and then. tied about rod 16, above washer 32 wherebythe cable 44 will not be able to slide down on rod 16, since it isprevented from doing so by the washer 32. This cable 44 is engaged about rearward tilting handle 42. Then, the handle 34 is grasped, and by pulling'forwardly thereon, the rod 16 provides a large lever arm 'so that but a small force is required to overcome the motor moment which is counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 2. Of course, the cable 24 disposed about handle 42, applies a force to the motor and because of the mechanical advantage gained by the long moment arm of rod 16, a small force is needed to overcome the large weight of motor 12.

By connecting a rope to the upper portion of rod 1.5,

above washer 32, it may be seen that from any position anddescribed a new and improved type of motor tilt-.

ing device, which 'will be found to be extremely useful in tilting heavy motors which have heretofore been a problem to persons who because of age,fsize, or physical impairment have previously had a difficult time in tilting, motors.

The foregcing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since nermous modifications and changes will readilyioccur to those skilled in the art, it is' not desired tov limit the invention to the exact construction and-operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitablemodificationsand equivalents having a forward tilting handle and a rearward. tilting handle, an outboard motor tilting device comprising an elongated rod, means on one end of said rod adapted to detachably connecting the latter to said forward tilting handle, and means secured to the other end of said rod releasably connected between said rod and the rear tilt-- ing handle, said last mentioned two means cooperating V to retain said rod in a substantially upright position ready for instant use when the latter is not being used, said releasable connection means including a cable having one end connected to said rod near its upper end, a stop element fixed to said rod near the upper end for preventing said cable from sliding therebelow, and a handle on the uppermost end of said rod, said detachable means including a bracket member fixed on the bottom end of said rod, said bracket member comprising a transversely extending element having a downwardly opening U-shaped retaining element on each end thereof embrac ing said forward tilting handle from above.

2, In combination with an outboard motor of the type having a forward tilting handle and a rearward tilting handle, an outboard motor tilting device comprising an elongated rod, means on one end of said rod adapted to detachably connecting the latter to said forward tilting handle, and means secured to the other end of said rod releasably connected between said rod and the rear tilting handle, said last mentioned two means cooperating to retain said rod in a substantially upright position ready for instant use when the latter is notbeing used, said releasable connection means including a cable having one end connected to said rod near its upper end, a stop element fixed to said rod near the upper end for preventing said cable from sliding therebelow, and

a handle on the uppermost end of said rod, said detachable means including a bracket member thred on the bottom end of said rod, said bracket member comprising a transversely extending element having a downwardly opening U-shaped retaining element on each end thereof embracing said forward tilting handle from above, said transversely extending element being substantially win U-shaped and having a bight portion with a leg extending at substantially right angles thereto on each end thereof, said retaining elements being carried by the free ends of said legs.

3. For use in connection with a tiltable outboard motor of the type including a forward tilting handle and a rear tilting handle, an outboard motor tilting dew'ce comprising an elongated rod, means on the lower end portion of said rod adapting it for detachable connection to said forward tilting handle with said rod disposed in an upstanding position and projecting above said tilting handle, said tilting handleincluding a transversely extending horizontally disposed bight portion, said connecting means including means for engaging said bight portion at spaced points longitudinally therealong on opposite sides of said rod, means on the upper end portion of said rod for a releasable connection with said rear tilting handle and maintaining said rod in an upstanding position against movement of the upper end of said rod in at least forward direction away from said rear tilting handle whereby as the upper end of said rod is tilted forwardly said motor will also be tilted forwardly.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said releasable connection means includes an elongated tensioning member having one end connected to said rod and the other end adapted for connection with said rear tilting handle.

5. The combination of claim 3 including a handle on the upper end of said rod.

6 The combination of claim 3 wherein said detachable means includes a bracket member fixed on the bottom end of said-rod, said bracket member comprising a transversely extending element including a downwardly opening U-shaped retaining element adapted to embrace said forward tilting handle from above.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said retaining element is offset rearwardly of said rod.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,172,176 Stanley Feb. 15, 1916 2,486,883 Ruin; Nov. 1, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS M24985 Germany Mar. 15, 1956 

